LASIK and PRK are FDA-approved to treat blurry vision caused by certain refractive errors in adults age 18 and older. Many potential patients, including some that meet with Los Angeles LASIK surgeon Dr. Linda Vu, are curious to know whether there is an upper age limit for LASIK and PRK. Here, Dr. Vu discusses the answer in detail.
LASIK/PRK and Age: What You Need to Know
If you’re concerned that you are too old for LASIK or PRK, Dr. Vu has great news. Currently, there is no upper age limit for LASIK or PRK. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), more adults over the age of 50 are undergoing LASIK, and Dr. Vu herself has safely performed laser vision correction on hundreds of older adults.
That being said, there are certain age-related vision conditions that cannot be treated with LASIK or PRK. Around age 40, many adults begin to experience blurry near vision caused by presbyopia. Because presbyopia is not caused by a refractive error, it cannot be treated by LASIK or PRK. In addition, adults age 50 and older are at risk of certain eye conditions that could preclude them from undergoing LASIK or PRK. These conditions include cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Other Factors that Affect LASIK/PRK Candidacy
Let’s take a look at other factors that affect LASIK/PRK candidacy:
Vision prescription. Your vision prescription must be stable for at least one year prior to surgery.
Overall health. Certain health conditions like diabetes may affect healing after LASIK and PRK.
Smoking. Smoking inhibits healing after surgery and increases the risk of post-op complications.
Pregnancy. Pregnancy causes a woman’s vision to fluctuate, disqualifying her from undergoing laser vision correction.
If restoring clear eyesight with LASIK or PRK has ever crossed your mind, Dr. Vu would be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss your candidacy. During your consultation, Dr. Vu will thoroughly examine your eyes, and evaluate your eye health and medical history. The surgeon will use this information to recommend the best course of treatment for you.
Get on the road to enhanced vision by scheduling a LASIK/PRK consultation. Contact Linda Vision by calling (626) 382-2020 or emailing our office today.